iTunes MiniStore Now Issues Warning

After Apple issued the iTunes 6.0.2 update last week, which introduced a feature called the MiniStore, complaints surfaced that Apple had added the equivalent of spyware, by having iTunes transmit and react to the songs you click on whenever the MiniStore is open.

Apple has now changed the MiniStore so that iTunes users see an explanation and are asked to confirm use of the MiniStore before it is first used.

In the MiniStore pane, iTunes now displays a message:

The iTunes MiniStore allows you to discover new music and videos right from your iTunes Library. As you select items in your Library, information about that item is sent to Apple and the MiniStore will show you related songs or videos. Apple does not keep any information related to the contents of your music Library.

Would you like to turn on the MiniStore now?

It is not necessary to update iTunes to activate this feature.